Parking Authority Inks New Meter Deal

The Pittsburgh Parking Authority has chosen a Swedish company to install a new pay-by-license parking meter system. The move is part of the Authority's effort to modernize and streamline its entire parking monetization effort.

Cale America, Inc. has received the contract. The Florida-based subsidiary of Cale Group has more than 11,000 meters installed in better than 125 cities throughout the U.S.

Solar-powered kiosks will replace traditional meters. Users will type their license plate number into the new multi-space meter and parking enforcement staff will be informed in real-time which cars are paid up and which are in violation. The company said a cell phone payment option will also be offered in the near future.

"We selected the vendor that offered the most advantageous product on the best terms," said Parking Authority Executive Director David Onorato. The company is to provide local support for its product.

The goal is to have the first meters in place next month.

Cale intends to use regional and local firms to handle at least a portion of project management, marketing and public outreach, and installation of the new meter system. The company said it will reach out to minority- and women-owned firms.

The company intends to set up a local facility to handle secondary assembly of the meters, plus programming and testing. That work is typically done at Cale's Montreal or Tampa locations. The change was made to help meet the Parking Authority's tight timetable.